A benzimidazolium-based mixed organic–inorganic polymer of Cu(II) ions for highly selective sensing of phosphates in water: applications for detection of harmful organophosphates

We synthesized a dinuclear Cu(II) paddle-wheel complex R1 containing a benzimidazolium ligand and explored using it as a fluorescence turn-ON sensor for detecting phosphates in water. The sensor exhibited both fluorescence and electrochemical responses to phosphates with high selectivity and sensitivity over other anions, which makes it useful for the detection of harmful organophosphates.